300 History

In August or September 480 BC in The Battle of Thermopylae an alliance of Greek city-states, approximately 7,000 men, led by King Leonidas of Sparta defended democracy against an overwhelmingly huge army and navy by the Persian Empire of Xerxes, which had set out to conquer all of Greece. The Athenian general Themistocles had proposed that the allied Greeks block the advance of the Persian army at the pass of Thermopylae, and simultaneously block the Persian navy at the Straits of Artemisium.

The Persian army, considered to have been ranging between about 100,000 and 150,000 men, arrived at the pass in late August or early September. The vastly outnumbered Greeks held off the Persians for seven days (including three of battle) before the rear-guard was annihilated in one of history’s most famous last stands.

During two full days of battle, the small force led by Leonidas blocked the only road by which the massive Persian army could pass. After the second day, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing that a small path led behind the Greek lines. Leonidas, aware that his force was being outflanked, dismissed the bulk of the Greek army and remained to guard their retreat with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, and 400 Thebans, fighting to the death.

This is the story of 300 Spartans. To honor their sacrifice for democracy and to make a last stand for Rock’n’Roll, the 300 have risen again in the name of our band. 300 defenders of Rock’n’Roll stand for loud music played hard and reduced to the max.